House Committee Leadership: No rancour between Gbajabiamila, Jibrin – Reps

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Media and Publicity, on Friday, said that the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila has fulfilled his promise to opposition parties in terms of committee positions.

A member of the Committee, Yusuf Gaji, who briefed reporters also said there is no rancour between the Director-General of the Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign organisation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

He said: “As regards to insinuations going on that Mr Speaker has failed to keep up to his promises to other political parties before election, of giving them 60 slots, I don’t think it is true.

“Some people will want to capitalise on the announcement made by Mr Speaker to take advantage of their own intentions.

“Mr Speaker has given 21 committees to the Peoples Democratic Party members, four other committees to other minority parties and 30 deputy chairmen of committees.

“If Mr Speaker has promised to allocate 60 positions to minority parties in the National Assembly, and he gave 21 and 30, making 51; plus four of APGA, AA and ADC, it means he has given 58. Fifty-eight and 60, they are almost the same.”

He also explained the reason Jibrin’s name was missing on the committees list, adding that there is no misunderstanding between the Speaker and Jibrin.

His words: “Regarding the Director-General of his Campaign, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin, there is nothing between Hon Jibrin and Mr Speaker.

“They are working together, perhaps Mr Jibrin is going to be considered for something bigger than a committee in the National Assembly.

“So, these are the information that we felt are necessary for us to give the press so that they will go a long way in reducing the media criticisms against the actions by Mr Speaker.”